The London Marathon will be held across two days for the first time in its history in 2027, as organisers respond to unprecedented demand for places in one of the world’s most popular running events.
London Marathon Events confirmed that the 2027 edition will take place on Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April, creating capacity for 100,000 participants and effectively doubling the number of available places.
The decision follows record-breaking interest in the event, with more than 1.33 million people applying through the ballot system for the 2027 race.
Record Number Of Applications
A total of 1,338,544 people entered the ballot for the 2027 London Marathon, surpassing the previous record of 1,133,813 applications submitted for the 2026 event.
The extraordinary demand prompted organisers to explore ways of expanding participation while maintaining the event’s world-renowned atmosphere and operational standards.
Under the new format, runners who entered the ballot will be allocated either a Saturday or Sunday race place if successful.
100,000 Runners Expected
The two-day format will allow approximately 100,000 people to participate in the marathon weekend, making it one of the largest running events ever staged.
Organisers believe the expanded event will significantly increase opportunities for runners while helping meet growing public interest in endurance sports and mass-participation events.
Ballot results for the 2027 race are expected to be announced in early July.
Major Boost For Charities And Tourism
According to London Marathon Events, the expanded race weekend is expected to generate more than £150 million for charitable causes.
The event is also forecast to deliver an economic boost of around £400 million to the UK economy through visitor spending, accommodation bookings, transport and hospitality activity.
The London Marathon is already recognised as the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event.
Building On Record-Breaking Success
The 2026 London Marathon attracted a record 59,830 finishers and raised more than £90 million for charities.
Over the years, the event has become one of London’s most significant sporting occasions, attracting elite athletes, amateur runners and international visitors from around the world.
With participation set to reach 100,000 runners in 2027, the special one-off edition is expected to become the largest London Marathon ever staged and one of the biggest mass-running events in global sporting history.
